PNP asks YouTube, FB to take down SMNI page

An official of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on Wednesday said they have asked Facebook and Youtube to take down the page and channel of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

SMNI is the media arm of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), which was founded by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

Quiboloy is facing numerous cases in the country.

“We’re actually asking YouTube to take down [SMNI] considering that it’s being used to protect a fugitive not only from the Philippines but also a fugitive of the laws of the United States,” PNP-CIDG chief Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III said.

“So we’re asking YouTube to actually take down the channel of SMNI and also Facebook for them to prevent from using those social media platforms as leverage for their illegal activities and criminal activities basically,” he added.

Torre issued the remark during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality on the alleged abuses committed by Quiboloy and KOJC.

When sought for comment, SMNI lawyer Mark Tolentino said this was a “baseless accusation.”

“Ano basis nila (on what basis)? We are in a democratic and republic government and freedom of the press is constitutionally guaranteed,” Tolentino told GMA News Online.

Quiboloy and the others are facing charges of child abuse before a Quezon City court. He is also facing charges of qualified trafficking before a Pasig court.

Aside from his legal troubles in the Philippines, Quiboloy is also facing charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling in the United States.

Quiboloy has denied the allegations against him.

GMA News Online is trying to get the reaction of Facebook and YouTube.—LDF, GMA Integrated News